Stud clip for vertical movement of a roof structure relative to a wall stud

ABSTRACT

A deflection clip and system. The deflection clip includes a rigid cross member having opposite first and second ends. An edge extends therebetween. Substantially parallel first and second flanges extend in a first direction substantially orthogonally from the cross member. The first and second flanges are mounted to the first and second ends respectively. A third flange is mounted to the edge of the cross member and extends in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first and second flanges are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of a horizontal element such as a track to which at least one vertical stud is slidably mounted so as to slide over exterior surfaces of the element for slidable translation in the first direction of the clip relative to the element. The third flange mounts to upper ends of the stud.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of steel wall framing assemblies and more particularly to a stud clip for allowing vertical floating movement between a steel framed wall assembly and a roof structure mounted thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As taught by Surowiecki in published United States Patent Application, Publication No. US 2005/0210813, published Sep. 29, 2005, and entitled Wall Construction, it is well known to use metal framing in building wall construction. Commonly, the framing comprises a downwardly opening upper channel, or header, an upwardly opening upper channel, or footer, and vertical studs extending between the channels and having end portions that are within the channels. An advantage of using metal framing members is that they provide a strong frame structure that can be configured to accommodate for movement of the buildings such as occurs during an earthquake, without resulting in damage to the wall of which the framing is a part.

Typically, the upper channel member is secured to an upper concrete structure and the lower channel member is secured to a lower concrete structure. During an earthquake, and at other times as well, there is relative movement between the two concrete structures. It is necessary that the framing that extends between the concrete structures be able to accommodate the relative movement without damage to the framing and the wall of which it is a part. Relative movement between the two concrete structures can be caused by earthquakes, roof loads, expansion and contraction, loading and unloading upper floors in multi-story buildings, settling, and wind loads, for example.

Surowiecki teaches a downwardly opening upper channel member is positioned above an upwardly opening lower channel member. A lower end portion of a stud is received in the lower channel member. A clip is received in an upper end portion of the stud bracket. The clip has an upper portion that is connected to the upper channel member. It also has a lower portion that extends downwardly into an upper end portion of its stud. The upper channel member has opposite side flanges that include lower edges the stud has an upper butt end that is positioned above the lower edge is below an upper web portion of the upper channel member. The upper portion of the clip is connected to the upper channel member. The clip is free to move vertically with respect to the stud. In a wall construction, wallboard sheeting is connected to the stud and the lower channel member but not to the upper channel member. As a result, relative vertical movement is permitted between the upper channel member and the rest of the wall which includes the stud, the lower channel member and the wallboard sheeting.

In the prior art applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,345 which issued Aug. 20, 1991 to Gilmour. Gilmour describes a stud clip which allows for vertical floating movement of a horizontal structure such as a roof element or floor element. The use of the clip provides for vertical sliding of the roof or floor element relative to a non-load bearing building stud wherein the clip is generally U-shaped so as to conform to the C-shaped cross-section of the stud. The clip is rigidly mounted to the roof or floor element and the stud slides telescopically on the clip.

As reported by Wheeler et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,733 which issued Sep. 21, 2004, in constructing buildings with metal framing members it is well known in the art to utilize slip-type connector devices to flexibly connect horizontal beam members with vertical stud members. Such connector devices are commonly used to form expandable joints commonly referred to as “slip joints.” Slip joints are particularly useful in the framing of partition walls which, if otherwise constructed rigidly, can be subjected to adverse compressive and tensile forces by loads acting on the building floors and roof. These forces can lead to problems associated with cracking and bowing of the coverings that are attached on the framing members. The slip joint solves the problem by permitting deflection of framing members at the joint; that is, by permitting the framing members to displace relative to each other under loading at the joint.

Loads of concern can be categorically, for example, live loads, dead loads, seismic loads and wind loads and any other loads acting on the building including but not limited to foot traffic, slab heaving, environmental loading (snow and wind load), and thermal expansion. Although the floors and the roof must be designed to withstand these loads, the partition walls are preferably isolated from them, in part by the slip joints.

The capability of a slip joint connector depends on maintaining a sliding engagement relationship between the connected framing members during deflection. This sliding engagement must be preserved throughout the wall's expected life span. It is essential that the slip joint permit the desired freedom of movement without binding, which can render the slip joint useless.

Wheeler et al. teach a deflection clip comprising a planar base plate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface, and a guide depending from the base plate. The guide comprises a first arm extending along a longitudinal axis substantially transverse to the base plate from a proximal end adjacent the second surface. The guide further comprises a second arm extending away from the base plate oriented in the same direction as the first arm defining a channel between the arms. In operation, the clip is engaged to one end of a stud, and the clip connected to a track with a fastener.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In summary, the present invention may be characterized in one aspect as including a deflection clip and a deflection clip system. The deflection clip includes a rigid cross member having opposite first and second ends and an edge extending orthogonally therebetween. Substantially parallel first and second flanges extend in a first direction substantially orthogonally from the cross member. The first and second flanges are mounted to the first and second ends respectively. A third flange is mounted to the edge of the cross member and extends substantially orthogonally from the cross member in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first and second flanges are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of a horizontal element such as a track to which at least one vertical stud is mounted so as to slidably mount over exterior surfaces of the element for slidable translation in the first direction of the clip relative to the element. The third flange is adapted for rigid mounting to upper ends of the studs.

In one embodiment the cross members are substantially planar horizontal webs, horizontal when mounted to the vertical studs by the corresponding third flanges, and the first, second and third flanges may be planar members. The first and second flanges may each extend substantially entirely across a vertical thickness of the cross member. The third flange may extend substantially the entire length of the cross member and be adapted for rigid mounting to a web of the upper end of the vertical stud, for example so that an uppermost end of the stud extends co-extensively with, and parallel to, the first and second flanges when mounted on the track. When the stud extends co-extensively with and parallel to the first and second flanges a parallel pair of track receiving channels are formed between the first and second flanges and the uppermost end of the stud.

The deflection clip stud mounting system according to the present invention includes the horizontal element, at least one vertical stud mountable to the element, and the deflection clip as aforesaid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is, in front perspective view, a stud clip according to the present invention rigidly mounted to a vertical steel stud and slidably mounted to a horizontal track.

FIG. 2 is in partially cut away left side elevation view, the clip, stud and track of FIG. 1, wherein the track is mounted to the ceiling.

FIG. 3 is, in rear, partially cut away perspective view, the clips, studs and track of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is, in rear elevation view, the structure of FIG. 3 illustrating wall sheeting mounted to the front of the structure.

FIG. 5 is, in front elevation view, the structure and wall sheeting of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is, in front lower perspective view, a stud clip according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is, in front upper perspective view, the stud clip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is, in end elevation view, the stud clip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is, in bottom view, the stud clip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is, in side elevation view, the stud clip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is, in upper perspective view, an alternative embodiment of the stud clip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is, in partially cut away side elevation view, the stud clip according to the present invention mounted in a wall section underneath and I-beam supporting a roof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying figures wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view, deflection clip 10 mounts to the uppermost end of metal stud 12 so as to provide a vertically free-floating mounting of stud 12 to top track 14.

Deflection clip 10 a horizontal web portion 16 having, at opposite ends thereof, upwardly extending vertical flanges, and a downwardly extending vertical flange 20 extending downwardly along the length of horizontal web 16 from edge 16 a thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the downwardly extending vertical flange 20 has further horizontally extending flanges 22 extending orthogonally therefrom.

Downwardly extending vertical flange 20 is mounted to web 12 a of stud 12 by fasteners 24 such as screw fasteners. The parallel legs 12 b of the upper end of stud 12 mount snugly against and between the corresponding downwardly extending legs 14 b of track 14 so as to mate flush in sliding engagement along the inner surfaces of legs 14 b. With deflection clip 10 mounted to the upper end of stud 12, and with legs 12 b mounted snugly between corresponding legs 14 b on track 14, vertical flanges 18 of deflection 10 extend upwardly snugly over and against the outer surfaces of legs 14 b in sliding engagement thereover. Thus legs 14 b are sandwiched between vertical flanges 18 against the outer surfaces of legs 14 b and legs 12 b of stud 12 against the inner surfaces of legs 14 b in a channel 26 formed between flange 18 and a corresponding leg 12 b on one side of stud 12 and flange 18 and a corresponding leg 14 b on the opposite side of stud 12.

Forces applied in direction A transverse to track 14 and studs 12 mounted by the use of clips 10 to tracks 14, such as forces due to wind loading against exterior walls, is resisted by the sandwiching of both legs 14 b snugly in the channels 26 formed between the vertical flanges 18 and the corresponding legs 12 b of stud 12 when slidingly nested upwardly into the downwardly open track. In particular, as vertical flanges 18 form a rigid right angled corner at the opposite ends of horizontal web 16, and in that the distal edges of legs 14 b when track 14 is nested down between flanges 18 so as to snug horizontal web 16 up against the edges of legs 14 b, outward deflection of legs 14 b relative to track web 14 a is resisted. Thus, even where clip 10 is made of lighter gauge steel, the resistance to bending moments applied to legs 14 b as a result of for example wind loading transversely against studs 12, is resisted by the mating of distal edges 14 c of legs 14 b into the linear joint 18 a between flanges 18 and web 16.

With stud 12 vertically slidably mounted to track 14 so as to be free-floating in direction B relative to track 14, because clip 10 is rigidly mounted to stud 12, clip 10 also translates in direction B relative to track 14. So long as the deflection of for example track 14 so that the relative movement of track 14 and stud 12 in direction B does not exceed the vertical length of flanges 18, the use of clip 10 will maintain stud 12 slidably mounted to track 14.

Thus as may be seen, economies and manufacturing may be realized by use of clip 10 according to the present invention. For example, it is no longer required that two tracks be used wherein one track is mounted along the top of the studs and is nested within a second track which is mounted upwardly to the roof. The use of the track mounted to the top of the wall is eliminated. Further, as noted above, a lighter gauge steel may be used, with it's attendant cost savings. For example for a wind loaded wall in the prior art, typically a sixteen gauge track may have been employed. This was deemed necessary because wind loading against the wall would then load against one of the legs of the track, leaving the opposite leg of the track unloaded. In the present invention wherein wind loading for example is distributed not just to one leg of the track but to both legs of the track by the use of vertical flanges 18, sixteen gauge steel may be replaced with twenty gauge steel typically costing approximately one third of the cost of fourteen gauge steel. A further advantage which may be realized by employing the present invention is that the wall itself may be pre-fabricated while laying flush on the floor. Track 14 is bolted to the upper ends of stud 12 by the use of fasteners 28. Clip 10 is also mounted to the upper ends of stud 12 by the use of fasteners 24 fastening flange 20 to web 12 a. Vertical flanges 18 slide over legs 14 b of track 14. Thus scaffolding may not be required as the wall, in manageable increments, is pre-fabricated on the floor and then swung upwardly into place, that is, to the vertical. With the wall thus raised into place, track 14 may be then bolted to the roof or ceiling 34, and presuming that the wall sheeting, for example drywall sheeting 30, has been mounted to studs 12, then fasteners 28 may be removed to allow for the free-floating mounting of stud 12 relative to track 14. It is understood of course that the wall sheeting is not mounted to track 14.

In the use of the alternative embodiment of clip 10, wherein not only flange 20 engages stud 12 but also flanges 22, clip 10 may be mounted to stud 12 by fastening flange 20 to web 12 a and lateral loading of stud 12 may be distributed to clip 10 not only by fasteners 24 but also by flanges 22 engaging legs 12 b.

It would also be understood to those skilled in the art, that where the roof construction employs so called “red iron” that is girders which may be made of iron supporting the roof, wall studs 12 may be mounted to the underside of such girders by the use of clips 10 mounting to the underside of the girders. Again, clips 10 are mounted to the upper ends of studs 12 so as to provide for free-floating vertical relative translation between girder 32 and the studs, the use of clip 10 providing for sliding engagement of the stud to girder 32 during relative deflections therebetween.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims. 

1. A deflection clip comprising: a rigid cross member having opposite first and second ends and an edge extending orthogonally therebetween, substantially parallel first and second flanges extending in a first direction substantially orthogonally from said cross member, said first and second flanges mounted to said first and second ends respectively, a third flange mounted to said edge and extending substantially orthogonally from said cross member in a second direction opposite to said first direction, wherein said first and second flanges are spaced apart a distance equal to the width of a horizontal element to which a vertical stud is mounted so as to slidably mount over exterior surfaces of the element for slidable translation in said first direction of said clip relative to the element, said third flange adapted for rigid mounting to an upper end of the stud.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said cross member is a substantially planar horizontal web, horizontal when mounted to the vertical stud by the third flange.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said first and second flanges are a pair of parallel planar members.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said first and second flanges each extend substantially entirely across a vertical thickness of said cross member.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said third flange is a planar member.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said third flange extends substantially the entire length of said cross member.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said third flange is adapted for rigid mounting to a web of the upper end of the stud.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said third flange is adapted for rigid mounting to the upper end of the stud so that an uppermost end of the stud extends co-extensively with and parallel to said first and second flanges.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein said uppermost end of the stud extends co-extensively with and parallel to said first and second flanges so as to form a parallel pair of track receiving channels between said first and second flanges and the uppermost end of the stud.
 10. A deflection clip stud mounting system comprising: a horizontal element, at least one vertical stud, a rigid cross member having opposite first and second ends and an edge extending orthogonally therebetween, substantially parallel first and second flanges extending in a first direction substantially orthogonally from said cross member, said first and second flanges mounted to said first and second ends respectively, a third flange mounted to said edge and extending substantially orthogonally from said cross member in a second direction opposite to said first direction, wherein said first and second flanges are spaced apart a distance equal to the width of said horizontal element to which said at least one vertical stud is mounted so as to slidably mount over exterior surfaces of the element for slidable translation in said first direction of said clip relative to said element, said third flange adapted for rigid mounting to an upper end of the stud.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein said cross member is a substantially planar horizontal web and horizontal when mounted to said vertical stud by said third flange.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said first and second flanges are a pair of parallel planar members.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein said first and second flanges each extend substantially entirely across a width of said cross member.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein said third flange is a planar member.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said third flange extends substantially the entire length of said cross member.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein said third flange is adapted for rigid mounting to a web of the upper end of said stud.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein said third flange is adapted for rigid mounting to the upper end of said stud so that an uppermost end of said stud extends co-extensively with and parallel to said first and second flanges.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein said uppermost end of said stud extends co-extensively with and parallel to said first and second flanges so as to form a parallel pair of track receiving channels between said first and second flanges and the uppermost end of said stud. 